Karl Stingl Sr. passed away peacefully on Jan. 20, 2012, with his wife, Sunny, by his side.
Karl was a veteran of World War II and a proud member of the 10th Mountain Division. He was born July 17, 1922, in Eibenburg, in the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. When Karl was 15 his parents sent him to the U.S. to live with relatives in Bremerton, Wash. He had a lifelong love of skiing and the mountains. He began ski jumping as a boy, switched to alpine as a young man and became a nationally ranked ski racer. In 1942 Karl joined the Army's 10th Mountain Division and served proudly in World War II. He was president of the Mount Rainier Chapter of the 10th Mountain Division Veterans until his death.
After the war, Karl continued to compete in races and spent time ski instructing in Aspen, Sun Valley and Alta. He was a proud member of the Sun Valley Ski Patrol. He moved on to coaching at Seattle University, the University of Washington and Snoqualmie Pass Ski School, as well as for an uncountable number of junior racers. He officiated PNSA ski races well into his 80s. His love for the sport touched many.
While skiing at Stevens Pass, he met Sonja Wold. They married in 1955 and raised four children. Karl is survived by his wife, Sunny; daughter Heidi (Kelly) Adams of Saskatchewan, Canada; son Karl (Ashley) of Ketchum, Idaho; daughter Sandy (Bob) Christie of Ferndale, Wash.; daughter Kristi (Mark) Lewis of Renton, Wash.; and four granddaughters.
Karl's memorial service was held Jan. 28 in Edmonds, Wash., and interment was at the Tahoma National Cemetery. To read the full obituary and share memories and condolences, visit www.Becksfuneralhome.com, "Ski Schmoothly."
